Manafort And Gates Both Plead Not Guilty To All Charges; Bail Request At $10Million

Both Paul Manafort and his former business associate Rick Gates pleaded not guilty to all charges today. This is a breaking news story so there is little commentary at this time as to the meaning of the not guilty plea, but right now it’s considered a pro forma kind of an endeavor, plead not guilty to give yourself time and a fighting chance — even though there is a mountain of evidence establishing guilt of the parties. The Hill:

Federal prosecutors are requesting a $10 million bail — to be set during a status hearing on Nov. 2 — and for Manafort to be released on home arrest at his home in Virginia.

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The special counsel’s office considers him a flight risk, lawyers in Mueller’s office argued before Judge Deborah Robinson on Monday afternoon, citing the seriousness of the charges and the extent of Manafort’s ties abroad.

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The bureau took possession of Manafort’s passport yesterday, his lawyer said.

Speculation continues that Manafort may be persuaded to flip and implicate some of the other the fish in the tank, including the big kahuna himself.